Parents fight 10-year-old violinist's expulsion for knife

RECTOR, Pa. – Parents of a 10-year-old violinist are suing to overturn their 10-year-old daughter's expulsion for having a knife on school property which they say she merely used to "trim broken hairs" on her violin bow.

Officials at the Valley School of Ligonier didn't immediately return a call for comment Friday on the claims by Abbigail Cunkelman, of Blairsville, and her parents.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (http://bit.ly/1NEdgoi ) says the Cunkelman's want a Westmoreland County judge to reverse the expulsion because they her admission to the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District was questioned this week because of the private school's expulsion.

The violin incident happened in May and the Cunkelmans say the Valley School sent them a letter in July telling them Abbigail wouldn't be permitted back for bringing a Swiss army knife to a concert on school grounds.